Manoj Manchu is a class apart when it comes to the other star kids of Telugu film industry. His script selection (Nenu Meeku Telusa, Prayanam and Vedam) speaks a lot about his intent to do different commercial movies. He is frank and straight forward just like his father. 20 May is the birthday of Manoj Manchu. Idlebrain.com caught up with Manoj for an exclusive interview. Here are the excerpts -

How do you feel about your commercial hit Bindaas?
It feels awesome. I couldn’t have asked for more. It went on to become a hit though there is no publicity. Veeru Potla’s script and dialogues are the heart of the movie. I got Prayanam and Bindaas movies because of my film Nenu Meeku Telusa? I got educated about acting during the making of Prayanam film. Veeru’s dialogues in Bindaas added to my mischief on screen. The 100 days function of Bindaas movie is going to be held on 21 of May at Shilpa Kala Vedika.

Tell us about Vedam movie?
Krish is my friend. He wanted me to do Gamyam film and it didn’t materialize. He also considered me for Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum movie and that movie didn’t take off. He asked me for Vedam, but didn’t detail me about it. Meanwhile, Bunny met me in Gym and said that there are five important characters in Vedam and actors for 4 characters were cast and he suggested that I should do the fifth character of the rock star. I accepted the movie without asking for the story. I told Krish that I would be doing the guest appearance in the movie as my character’s duration is only 20-25 minutes in Vedam. When I and Allu Arjun are paired up and when they promote it as a multi-starrer, people might come to theatres expecting some fireworks between our character like our elders Chiranjeevi and Mohan Babu in Billa-Ranga movie. Both of our characters don’t meet in the movie except for a scene leading to climax. Vedam is a superb movie and I am very lucky to be part of this wonderful film.

Are you open to guest characters in the future too?
Yes. If the script is good and character is promising, I don’t mind doing guest characters. I am open to do villain character as well. I got an offer to do a villain character in Tamil. I am having dates problems with that movie. If that is sorted out, then I am working for that movie.

Tell us about Jhummandi Naadam?
The shooting is almost complete. My sister Lashmi is acting as a full-time producer for this movie. It’s a great feeling to work with K Raghavendra Rao. Me, my father, K Raghavendra Rao and Keeravani worked together for Major Chandrakanth and we are doing it again now. It is a musical with typical K Raghavendra Rao kind of entertainment and commercial elements.

Tell us about your future project?
I am going to do a film titled Ooo Kodathara Ulikki Padathara after Jhummandi Nandam. A new guy has committed as producer for that movie during Prayanam time. But he went away and avoided me after hearing bad pre-release talk about Prayanam. After Prayanam getting reasonable revenue, that producer came back to me. I sent him away because he didn’t trust me. Raja – an associate of Krishna Vamsi is going to direct this movie. He has been waiting for this project to happen for the past one and half years.

What is your dream as an actor?
I want to have world-class action choreography in my movies. In Vedam movie also I did live action episode where I broke a moving car’s glass pane. I am choreographing a fight in Jhummandi Nadam movie. In Ooo Kodathara... there will be stunts of high technical standards.

You are very unlike of any star son in terms of attitude and story selection. What is the reason?
I had been a very indiscipline and freak-out guy since childhood. That is the reason why I had to change 12 schools by the time I completed intermediate. I had been a jovial guy as a kid and I want to be like that forever. Most of my habits and attitude during my 9th class is being continued even today. That is why I am unaffected by the typical filmy influence.

You keep changing your body weight very often. How do you manage it?
My body is flexible. I am 88 kgs now and I am going to lose 15 kgs to the character in Ooo kodathara... My weight in Vedam movie was 80 kg. But I had an injury (shoulder) during the shoot of Nenu Meeku Telusa. It is aggravating now. I might have to go for a surgery.

How are you going to maintain your PR and fan base?
My close friend Meka Srikanth (phone no: 91609 99930) is acting as the president of my fans association. I am always addicted to movies. Hence my interaction with outer world is very limited. My usage of internet and cell phone is also less. I am getting used to facebook now and I am planning to join twitter tomorrow.